Breatharianism

[cabinintheforest]

Opinions on breatharianism?

Link

www.breatharian.info/index.html

[robert]

what's the question or the question behind the question? are you asking if it's possible yes i think that it is. are you asking whether or not it will make you more spiritual because you are denying yourself? i don't think that denying oneself helps to do anything other than help focus the mind thus using the focus to go further as some have said. and yet i must say that i really love to eat i think that enjoying the way that the flavors of a good steak mix with that perfect sip of wine is just as close to heaven as sitting in the sun on a beautiful warm day and taking sustenance from the sun and the air around you.
though as we seem to be constantly reminding each other none of this can even be right or wrong although i know that you were merely asking for an opinion i think that we must simply find that which works to remind us that none of this is real.

[zendancer]

Cabin: I saw a documentary on this a few years ago, and every person that was studied (all of them were from India) was found to be sneaking food in various subtle ways. Even it were true, which I doubt, it would be nothing more than a scientific curiosity. There are lots of strange things that people can learn to do, many of which are well documented, but they have nothing to do with spirituality other than, perhaps, as a way to focus the mind, as pointed out in the post by Robert. Most of the people who focus on this sort of thing secretly enjoy feeling special, so their efforts are moving them in the wrong direction.

[karen]

My 1st thought was: is living on air more "spiritual" than living on Taco Bell?

[zendancer]

Karen: I'm glad you wrote that because I recently heard that Taco Bell has some new "healthy" products on their menu, and I've been meaning to check that out. If I could combine my love of Mexican food with something healthy, that would definitely be a more spiritual experience. I'll bet a healthy taco would taste much better than air!

[karen]

Hi ZD,

I'm not too sure how healthy Taco Bell is, but since I'm vegan, I basically only get the Fresco bean burritos, or if I'm tired of that - a Fresco bean burrito . If you get any item "Fresco Style" they hold the sauce and cheese, and add tomatoes and cilantro. But then if you go with "Fourth meal" then it sorta defeats the purpose.

But if you want natural and human Mexican food: www.chipotle.com/ .

[zendancer]

Karen: Thanks. I found a restaurant in Nashville on their website. I had heard about them, but never eaten there. I'll check it out.

[robert]

at times like these i find that i must pull myself back and say aloud, how does engaging in a thread over food help me to wake up? i point this out because i started this thread moving in the first place. i am sincere in this question because i spent many years coming to terms with the fact that my epilepsy requires that i take huge amounts of medication. i was convinced by some of the books i had read that l that waking up just was not possible for me because what we put into our bodies directly influences our chances of stepping out of this dream, and with over 3000 milligrams of depressants every day then i was just out of luck. but i have come to realize that my disorder can no more prevent my direct perception than my medication and yet i do find that my meds. seem to influence my ability to focus. any suggestions?
thanks

[zendancer]

Robert: If you're doing the best that you can, then that's the best you can do. Don;t waste time getting angry at reality. If you were indulging in drugs or alcohol for fun or in order to run away from reality, I would tell you to quit taking those things so that you could escape the fog that you're in. But in your case, the drugs you are taking are necessary, and because they affect your ability to stay focused, then you will have to make more of an effort than someone who does not have to take such drugs. Life is not fair, but be aware that some people in terrible situations have awakened. It may be more of a struggle, but shifting your attention away from thoughts and to direct sensory experience will definitely bring you to the here and now where the truth resides.

Many people have the idea that waking up is directly related to what they put into their bodies. This is just another idea to get rid of. Some people who eat junk food wake up and other people who only eat super-healthy food do not. The only connection that I have made between food and waking up is this: eating lightly heightens attentiveness whereas eating heavily dulls attentiveness. This is why some Zen Masters tell their students to quit eating before they feel sated. In the same way sitting upright heightens attentiveness whereas lying down does not. Diaphragmatic breathing heightens attentiveness whereas chest breathing does not. What matters is not what goes into your mouth, but what goes into your head. Let that big grapefruit empty itself of everything. Not knowing is the way.

[robert]

zd. thanks. 20 years ago i was anger. at 44 i have mellowed. where i have the most trouble, if you can even call it trouble, is the shifting away from thoughts and into the direct sensory experiences, because of the meds. it is very easy for me to fall into a stupor. do you have any suggestions in this regard. anyone?

[jimmytantric]

Robert take a big deep breath(haha). First if this I Am wants to wake itself up I'm sure medications are no problem-Nisgardatti was a smoker! Secondly Breathanirism or whatever, is a con job. The founder was charging thousands per disiple and only taking a couple at a time(obviuosly because when the student finds out he's been played, he's coming after the Teacher and he doesn't need hundreds after him - a couple makes it easier to get away!)The air you breath is 79% nitrogen -20% oxygen and 1% argon-take that away and good luck keeping the body alive! Good luck fellow journeyman and don't forget to laugh it could help your breathing!

[karen]

Jan 30, 2010 17:46:03 GMT -5 @robert said:

because of the meds. it is very easy for me to fall into a stupor. do you have any suggestions in this regard. anyone?

Robert, check out my post here on the meditation I use. It should wake you up (in the common sense as well as *hoping* our sense) rather than put you in a stupor.

[robert]

karen i don't think that i understood what your post was pointing at specifically. is it simply to watch byron katie on youtube?

[karen]

This is what I thought you might be interested in:

Jan 31, 2010 12:37:06 GMT -5 karen said:

my current form of meditation is looking intently at an object without labeling it. This is often things that have no clear or simple label - like the circle inside an "o" in any set of written words, shadowy objects - looking deep inside trying to see something but not anything in particular for examples. This I do with focused attention - the kind of attention I'd use if I were trying to stay awake whilst driving at a late hour - NOT the relaxing kind of meditation you see on TV. It's not fun, but it always seems to yield good stuff.

You say going into direct perception puts you in a stupor? Can you perform complex actions? How do you keep from going into a stupor then? You focus right? That's what I am suggesting you do. Focus with all your might at whatever meditation speaks to you (or inquiry etc.). In my experience, if I'm not focusing with wrapped attention - I fall into "blank mind" which is peaceful, but doesn't seem to get me anywhere.

[karen]

And BTW, I don't do this on some yoga mat, with chimes twinkling about me. I do it during vigorous exercise, at red lights, between posts here, in the shower, etc. - whenever I have a few seconds when I remember to do so.